UMWA Local Unions representing Patriot workers, retirees meet to discuss bankruptcy

[CHARLESTON, W. VA] More than 100 United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) local union officers, representing 35 UMWA local unions in five states, met today to hear details about the recent bankruptcy filing by Patriot Coal Company and what impact the filing may have on active workers and retirees.

UMWA International President Cecil E. Roberts addressed the union leaders, updating them on the status of the bankruptcy filing and explaining what the process will likely be moving forward. Roberts pledged that "the UMWA will bring every resource to bear on behalf of our membership as this process unfolds."

There are more than 2,000 active UMWA members working at Patriot operations in West Virginia and Kentucky. Additionally, more than 10,000 retirees receive health care benefits from the company. In all, more than 22,000 active and retired UMWA members and their dependents –most of whom live in West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio–are affected by the Patriot bankruptcy.

Roberts also reported that the UMWA filed a motion today to transfer the case from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York, where Patriot filed it, to the Southern District of West Virginia.